Online - October 13, 2009

I, Nerd, Take Thee, Geek

Fall 2009 Wedding Guide

Wedding coordinator? Puhlease. You can plan that mammyjammer from your laptop without sacrificing a single ounce of style.

Put the Petals to the Metal
Why opt for a bouquet with a three-day life span when you can have buds that last for eternity? Jewelry junky Ali Galgano creates sparkly rhinestone arrangements that you’ll pass down for generations. If you do go for the real deal, there’s no need to blow your wad. Head to the local flower market or order online in bulk and emulate the work of your favorite florist.

Frock You
It’s your day, and you can wear what you want to. If you dare to be different, we suggest a stunning traditional Mexican wedding dress. Non-Bohemians can opt for a more traditional gown from Paloma Blanca, an affordable line (starting at $1,400) out of Canada. Perhaps you’re somewhere in between old school and new school? Jenny Yoo has designed a whole collection for your type called Wedding Alternatives that consists of simple, nonfrilly frocks.

Paper Pushers
Moontree Letterpress makes designing chic, simple invitations easy and fun. Pick one of the nature-inspired letterpress designs. Then choose fonts and ink colors from the style guide and voila, done and done. If you want to up the kitsch factor, trot on to Two Trick Pony where invites are inspired by everything from vintage carnivals to ’70s floral dishes. And for all of you hopeless romantics, Mika78 will bring your love story to life on paper. Save yourself the trouble of filling out your return address a zillion times with a customized rubber stamp.

There’s a Place for Us
Winter, summer, spring, or fall, Dunton Hot Springs, an old mining town in the Colorado Rockies, is truly magical all year long. The whole town (including an open-air chapel) can be rented for your big day, as long as you don’t invite more than 42 people. If you prefer Southern comfort, Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm, nestled in the Smokey Mountains, has the charm of the old (carriage rides, orchards) and the luxury of the new (spa, food and wine program) on a pristine 4,200-acre estate.

Pretty Maids All in a Row
Finally someone has created cute, wearable bridesmaids dresses for under 300 bucks. No, really. You’ll Swoon for these effortlessly elegant frocks that come in a plethora of styles and colors — there’s something flattering for every apple, pear, and watermelon. Monique Lhuillier is spreading her love to the maids with a new line of dresses in sleek styles, vibrant hues, and price tags around $300. They’ve supported you and put up with your every last breakdown. Gift them with Dannijo’s modern monogrammed bracelets.

Family Traditions
Maybe you’re Jewish. Maybe you just wish you were. Either way, you’ll like New Ketubah, which reinterprets the traditional handwritten and drawn marriage contracts as modern works of art featuring celestial, nature-inspired, and tastefully spiritual imagery. Show the groom its not just all about you by gifting him with sentimental custom cuff links.

Make It Special
There’s nothing as nerve racking as the looming, impending speech when you’re one of the chosen ones. Avoid the anxiety and contact The Oratory Laboratory to help you write and deliver the perfect sentiments. We can’t all marry rock stars who write songs about us. But you can elicit singer/songwriter James Carrington to record a custom tune about you and your beloved.

Runaway Bride
If even this is all too much, do not run off to Vegas. The Four Seasons Maui has an all-inclusive elopement package for $5,800 that blows Sin City out of the water.

Brides can never consume too much information. Here’s more wedding inspiration.

Photos: Courtesy of Charm & Chain; Courtesy of Les Gazelles; Courtesy of Mika78; Courtesy of Dunton Hot Springs; Courtesy of Dannijo; Courtesy of New Ketubah; Courtesy of The Oratory Laboratory; Courtesy of Four Seasons Maui

  Weddings